Baltimore City issues Code Red Extreme Heat Alert July 1-4 as Maryland faces intense heat

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore City officials have issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert from Wednesday, July 1, until Saturday, July 4, due to expected intense heat waves across Maryland.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed, limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours, remain hydrated, and check on older adults, neighbors, and others who may be at higher risk for heat-related illnesses.

“Protecting the health and well-being of Baltimore residents is our top priority,”Mayor Brandon Scott said in a press release. “During heat waves, please take care of yourself: drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and find air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. The City is taking precautions and providing resources where possible, but we need everyone to take steps to protect themselves, loved ones, and neighbors. Looking out for one another can save lives.”

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A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is announced when the weather is so dangerous that it can harm the health and safety of people in Baltimore.

During this alert, the city will provide resources and share health tips to help residents stay safe during the extreme heat.

In 2026, two heat-related deaths have been reported in Baltimore City, according to the Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

DPW Service modifications:

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) suspended all residential recycling collections from Wednesday, July 1, and continuing through the remainder of the week to protect sanitation workers during the extreme heat and to allow crews to prioritize trash collection.

Residents are encouraged to place their trash at the collection location the night prior to their scheduled pickup.

The following DPW facilities will be closed on Saturday, July 4:

• Northwest Transfer Station – 5030 Reisterstown Road
• Quarantine Road Landfill – 6100 Quarantine Road
• Northwest Residential Recycling Center – 2840 Sisson Street
• Eastern Residential Recycling Center – 6101 Bowleys Lane
• Reedbird Residential Recycling Center – 701 Reedbird Avenue

DPW sanitation yards will be open during their normal business hours on Friday, July 3, but will be closed on Saturday, July 4.

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks adjusted hours:

The following operational adjustments will take place from July 1 to July 5 to prioritize health and safety:

• All outdoor BCRP athletic programming, including track practices, will be canceled during the Code Red alert.
• Tennis Camp activities will be moved indoors during periods of extreme heat.
• Athletic permits have not been canceled but permit holders should have received a letter encouraging them to reschedule activities.
• All camp activities will remain indoors during periods of extreme heat, and all transportation will utilize air-conditioned buses.
• Camps with swimming trips scheduled will continue as planned, providing a safe cooling activity (on Monday for Teen Camp; on Wednesday and Thursday for other camps).
• All outdoor recreation programming will be suspended, the Carrie Murray program activities will move indoors, and the July 1 Virginia S. Baker Camp – Tree Trekkers trip has been rescheduled.

Extended hours for city and neighborhood Pools:

All park pools and neighborhood pools will operate under an expanded, unified schedule with extended evening hours.

All neighborhood pools that would normally be closed on Sunday will remain open during the Code Red event.

Pools will be open from Wednesday, July 1, through Thursday, July 2:

• 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
• 2:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
• 5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
• 7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Pools will be open from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5:

• 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
• 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
• 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
• 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Extreme heat cooling centers

The following cooling centers will be activated from Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5:

• Cherry Hill Homes, at 2700 Spelman Rd. from 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
• Brooklyn Homesat 4140 10th St. from 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
• ShopRite of Howard Park at 4601 Liberty Heights Ave from 6:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
• Harford Senior Center at 4920 Harford Rd.from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Hatton Senior Centerat 2825 Fait Ave. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Oliver Senior Center at 1700 Gay St. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Sandtown Winchester Senior at Center1601 Baker St. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging at 4501 Reisterstown Rd. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Beans and Bread at 400 S. Bond St.from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
• Franciscan Centerat 101 W. 23rdSt. from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
• Manna House at 435 E. 25thSt. from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
• My Sisters Place(open to women and children only)at 17 W. Franklin St. from 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
• Weinberg Housing Resource Center at 620Fallsway from 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

The following cooling centers will be open on Thursday July 2:

• Cherry Hill Homes at 2700 Spelman Rd. from 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
• Brooklyn Homes at 4140 10th St. from from 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
• ShopRite of Howard Park at 4601 Liberty Heights Ave. from 6:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
• Harford Senior Center at 4920 Harford Rd. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Hatton Senior Center at 2825 Fait Ave. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Oliver Senior Center at 1700 Gay St. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Sandtown Winchester Senior Center at 1601 Baker St. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging at 4501 Reisterstown Rd. from 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
• Beans and Bread at 400 S. Bond St. from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
• Franciscan Center at 101 W. 23rdSt. from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
• Manna House at 435 E. 25thSt. from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
• My Sisters Place (open to women and children only) at 17 W. Franklin St. from 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
• Weinberg Housing Resource Center at 620Fallsway from 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
• Herring Run Recreation Center at 5001 Sinclair Ln. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• C.C. Jackson Recreation Center at 4910 Park Heights Ave. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Coldstream Recreation Center at 1401 Fillmore St. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Chick Webb Recreation Center at 632 Eden St. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Morrell Park Recreation Center at 2651 Tolley St. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center at 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Edgewood/Lyndhurst Recreation Center at 835 Allendale St. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Mora Crossman Recreation Center at 701 Rappolla St. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Virginia S. Baker Recreation Center at 2601 E. Baltimore St. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Middle Branch Recreation Center at201 Reedbird Ave. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Solo Gibbs Recreation Center at 1044 Leadenhall St. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Woodhome Recreation Center at 7310 Moyer Ave. from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Cahill Recreation Center at 4001 Clifton Ave. from6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Enoch Pratt Free Library locations will be open on Thursday, July 2, for residents seeking relief from the heat. (All library facilities will be closed Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, for the holiday.)

Residents can call 311 for more information on cooling centers during the Code Red alert.

Anyone who is having a heat-related medical emergency or who is experiencing signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should call 911.

For more information on declared Code Red Extreme Heat Alert days, visit theBaltimore City Health Department’s website.